Camp Yeppoon (US) Rehabilitation and Training facility

Military camp
Fitzroy-Mackay

Matthew Flinders Drive, Lammermoor Beach, Cooee Bay, Yeppoon 4703

Camp Yeppoon was located at Lammermoor Beach, between Ivey Street to the south, Chrisney Street to the north, and Taranganba Road and Gregory Street to the west. The land was acquired in December 1942, and was used by the 1st Training Centre for the rehabilitation of sick and injured US personnel.

History

Buildings at the camp included 5 mess kitchens, 7 bathhouses, 10 latrines, 5 headquarters and supply buildings, an infirmary, recreation room, administration building, post exchange, and store, plus 212 concrete tent floors. Five wells by the beach provided water to three tanks. Construction was undertaken by RL Schofield, R Coward, R Cousins & Co, the Public Works Department and troop labour. The site was vacated in May 1944.

Between mid 1942 and early 1944 Rockhampton was home to two of the four full US Army Divisions (the 24th, 32nd and 41st Infantry divisions, and the 1st Cavalry Division) which trained in Queensland During World War II. The 41st Division, a National Guard unit, was sent to Rockhampton in July 1942, where it was accommodated in Camp Rockhampton.

The US I (1st) Corps Headquarters, under Major General Robert L. Eichelberger, arrived in Rockhampton in August. At this time I Corps included the 41st Division and the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division (also a National Guard unit), which had arrived in Adelaide in May 1942. However, the 32nd did not go to Rockhampton, instead camping south of Brisbane at Camp Cable from July 1942.

The third division to join I Corps, and the second US division sent to Rockhampton, was the 24th Infantry Division, which arrived in Rockhampton in September 1943. The main units of the 24th Division were accommodated at Camp Caves.

Source/comments

McCarthy, D. 1959. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 - Army. “Volume V - South-West Pacific Area - First Year: Kokoda to Wau."

Dexter, D. 1961. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 - Army. “Volume VI - The New Guinea Offensives."

Charlton, P. 1991. South Queensland WWII 1941–45, Boolarong, Brisbane.

National Archives of Australia, various items, control symbols MAP 46, MAP 47, MAP 48, MAP 77, MAP 130, MAP 131 and MAP 150.

Dunn, P. 41st Infantry Division, I Corps, US Army in Australia during WW2

I Corps, (United States)

41st Infantry Division (United States), Wikipedia

Division History, 41st Infantry Division

24th Infantry Division (United States), Wikipedia

Division history, 24th Infantry Division

32nd Infantry Division (United States), Wikipedia